Causes

Familial and constitutional delay are due to the child's genetic make-up. If both parents are shorter than average, the child will most likely have short stature. The child may also have delayed puberty. This may cause temporary short stature, but normal height will eventually be reached.

Medical conditions that may contribute to short stature, include:

Malnourishment—most common cause of growth failure and is generally associated with poverty

Delayed puberty—no spotting by age 15 for a girl or no enlargement of the testes by age 14-15 for a boy

Diagnosis

You will be asked about your child's symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Your child's height, weight, and body proportion will be measured. The skull and facial features will also be examined.

Your child's bodily fluids may be tested. This can be done with:

Blood tests

Urine tests

Images may be taken of your child's bodily structures. This can be done with x-ray.

Your child may be tested for chromosomal abnormalities. This can be done with a genetic exam.

Treatment

Children with familial short stature do not require treatment. For others, treatment will focus on the cause of short stature. Treatments can vary greatly, but may include medication or nutritional changes.

Medications

Medications that may be used to treat associated conditions include:

Thyroid hormone replacement therapy—may be used in children with
hypothyroidism

Growth hormone replacement—may be used in some children such as those with growth hormone deficiency,
Prader Willi syndrome
, Turner syndrome, chronic kidney disease, or idiopathic short stature

If a medication is associated with short stature, you may be advised to stop taking the medication. Make sure to talk to your doctor before stopping any medication.

Improved Nutrition

Malnutrition can contribute to short stature. It may be due to a lack of proper food or other conditions like gastrointestinal problems. In either case, a change in diet may help. Talk to your doctor or dietitian to help make effective changes to your child's diet.

Prevention

Short stature cannot be prevented in children who have a familial short stature or short stature from genetic conditions. However, short stature from chronic disease can be prevented by treating the condition. In some cases, you can minimize your child’s risk of developing short stature by encouraging a nutritious diet.

Pregnant women can minimize the risk of short stature in their children by:

Eating a nutritious diet during pregnancy

Avoiding smoking

Avoiding illegal drugs

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Short stature. Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America website. Available at:
http://www.posna.org/education/StudyGuide/shortStature.asp. Accessed June 3, 2014.

When a child is unusually short or tall. American Academy of Pediatrics' HealthyChildren.org website. Available at:
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/When-a-Child-is-Unusually-Short-or-Tall.aspx. Updated May 28, 2014. Accessed June 3, 2014.